Abstract
There is growing awareness and concern over the potential of the internet to radicalize people towards violent extremism and terrorism. This paper provides a balanced assessment of the psychological processes through which the internet can have an impact in this regard. Particular attention is focused on identity issues, the imagined community, mortality salience effects and deindividuation. These are explored in terms of how their potential to generate support and ultimately radicalize individuals into joining a campaign of violence.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Terrorism and the Internet |
Subtitle of host publication | Threats, Target groups, Deradicalisation strategies. |
Editors | Hans-Liudger Dienel, Yair Sharan, Christian Rapp , Niv Ahituv |
Place of Publication | Amsterdam |
Publisher | IOS Press |
Pages | 27-39 |
Number of pages | 13 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781607505372 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781607505365 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Keywords
- terrorism
- radicalisation
- terrorist psychology
- internet
- internet psychology
- online psychology
- deindividuation
- anonymity